iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 2h

Ornette with Nix & Ellerbe. Prime Time indeed! youtu.be/PEikZrO2Cus?...

Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 2h

Extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Charles Ellerbe, one half of the most underrated guitar section of all time

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I totally agree. But IG is what's been leading me to Threads. My own fault, sure, but still. And like I said, I've been pleasantly surprised to find some cool stuff there. But it's still a complete mess, and BS remains supreme

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And.... they're ending Marvel Unlimited. And here I am still in the middle of John Byrne's FF run. Sigh. 'Nuff said.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Facts. Even though it's tough for a city boy like me to find the time and the green space

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

All of that being said, Threads is still an algorithmic nightmare, full of cacophonous noise. I'm prob just getting the Lanterns stuff both because I follow James Gunn, & also because I keep clicking on those threads. BlueSky still wins for many reasons, but there's always room for improvement!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And I would think that more diversity in PEOPLE on Bluesky would help lead to that. They're saying that the Lanterns discussions are being led by an exodus of BlackTwitter users onto threads, and that makes sense

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Threads is still trash, but I must admit it has been winning me over lately. The discourse on Lanterns in particular has been superb over there, not to mention Ted Lasso, A Different World, and others. Would love to see more diversity in topics, shows & otherwise over here

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

A fantastic piece on a fantastic show. When people denigrate my, ahem, “interests” in genre fiction (super hero, horror, fantasy, sci fi) it shows how ignorant they are of what the best in genre has to offer. And Lanterns was one of the best. Hopefully the studios get it & give us more like this

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Lanterns was 8 episodes of just superb television. The last episode felt melancholy for various reasons, but that includes the fact that this brilliant show is over for now. Please renew and let’s get s2 ASAP. GL John Stewart now & forever FTW

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

TV on the Radio on Jimmy Kimmel feat super buddy Smoota on trombone & keys, buddy Jaleel Bunton on guitar, guy I went to college with Tunde Adebimpe, plus Kyp Malone too!

youtu.be

TV On The Radio – Wolf Like Me

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Supposedly he has tons of unreleased stuff from the 70s, ala Prince’s vault. I hope we get to hear it under his supervision for mixing/mastering. Unlike the Prince nonsense we get now

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I couldn’t get a ticket! But I’m hoping something will happen and I’ll get lucky

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Stevie Wonder released 4 previously unheard tracks from Songs in the Key of Life today, and yes, Stevie's rejected tracks from this period are superior to some artists' entire catalogs. Thank you Stevie, can't wait to hear more. Carry on then.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is easily my new fav guitar instructional video. Thank you @johnmcnicholas.bsky.social for finally setting me (& others) straight as to how to play this song (Seriously, this is AMAZING)

youtu.be

John Cage - 4'33" - Acoustic Guitar Studio Tutorial

YouTube video by John McNicholas Guitar

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Infuriating. Please read and channel that rage towards change and ending this madness.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Slow Horses is back! Big ups for the Ebo Taylor song over the end credits!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The Korean movie Hope was simply SUPERB. In a just world, this would have been the hit of the summer. Go see it immediately.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

NEW FAVORITE BAND: Someone please get Hagane to the the US as soon as possible, and please make sure I know about it

youtu.be

HAGANE - 天下五剣 (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by HAGANE

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Possibly the greatest (& clearest) protest message EVER

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The Netflix Mr. T documentary is a bit meh, but it does end with the Gary Bartz/Andy Bey version of Celestial Blues, so there’s that.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Clearly these bears are just looking for agents to represent their foray into Hollywood films. Someone needs to set up an all-bear Influencer house as soon as possible to help get these bears the fame and fortune they seek and very well deserve

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I am very grateful to have been born in the mid-70s, into a world where Gloria Steinem, & her compatriots, had already begun making the world a better place. I am also forever grateful for that time she & Jane Fonda baked pies on Colbert, one of the best TV moments EVER. Rest in peace Gloria Steinem

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I missed this one sadly. 1st time I saw her was a Summerstage show, maybe you presented that one too. I also saw her in Battery Park & at BRIC w/Harriet Tubman. Each show was truly great. Sad days for music

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Reposted by Bryan Vargas

Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson was one of our most gifted vocalists, just an unreal talent. Here is my obituary for NPR Music. (I believe I’ll also be on the broadcast later this evening.)

npr.org

Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, dies at 70

Wilson, who's deep, dark contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz, died on Wednesday in her hometown of Jackson, Miss.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

If you've never heard this amazing version, do yourself a favor and listen to Cassandra Wilson sing Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" with Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Graham Haynes on cornet, and Chris Whitley on resonator guitar

youtu.be

Strange Fruit

YouTube video by Cassandra Wilson - Topic

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

But here we are, and regardless of her views, her talent spoke volumes, and her music greatly moved and influenced me. I am very sad today at the loss of Cassandra Wilson. May she rest in peace

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I was hurt and disappointed by this news. But the reality is I never knew her personally. I only know the word on the proverbial jazz streets. And the word was not good. So I like many others, lost interest and moved on. (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Wilson was always rumored to be a challenging person to work with. And when I discovered hew later in life political views, I was aghast. She was a pro-MAGA republican. I could not reconcile this with the same person who sang that amazing version of "Strange Fruit" (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I managed to see Cassandra Wilson perform three times. Twice leading her own group, and once a collaborative performance with the group Harriet Tubman. All shows were simply amazing. (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

And the way that Cassandra Wilson sang. Her phrasing, her beautiful tone. Blue Light and the follow up New Moon Daughter were two of my fav records in the 90s. I couldn't get enough of them. They helped forged the way I heard music (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Blue Light 'Til Dawn, and it's follow up, New Moon Daugther featured some of my (newfound) favorite players. Guitarists Brandon Ross & Chris Whitely, percussionists Jeff Haynes & Cyro Baptista, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, violinist Charlie Burnham, Tony Cedras on accordion - to name a few! (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson 's Blue Light 'Til Dawn blew my mind. The repertoire, the delivery, the players. I loved the dominance of acoustic guitars & hand percussion. I loved the idea of expanding the jazz repertoire past the Tin Pan Alley songbook. I loved all of it (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Back in 93, 18 year old me found a promo copy of Cassandra Wilson 's Blue Light 'Til Dawn in a Hip Hop record store's dump bin for $2. I knew nothing more than the fact that it was getting fave reviews and I snatched it up. This album changed my life (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson, this is a complex one. Thread to follow in a minute.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

He is the absolute worst. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end for him

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

And that’s my point. Cuz Liberia is not in South or Central America either

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I'm confused. Why didn't they send him to Liberia or El Salvador like everybody else?

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Coyote Vs Acme was just great and a ton of fun and everybody should go see it in the theaters. If you do we can hopefully get more fun, creative, adventurous movies about standing up to the man

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